Ties of a Friendship

Chapter 5

"I'm disappointed in you Connor I thought you heed my warning last time, but it looks like you just won't listen!" Adam told his frighten son.

Connor couldn't figure out how in the world could his father be here at the home and how did he get out of the hospital he was in no condition to be moving so soon especially after he overdose.

Adam slams the door Connor slowly walks back trying to keep as much distance as he could from his father. Connor knew it could be worst like the last time he'll never forget coming back home from the camp field trip it felt it was only yesterday…

The bus pulled into the parking lot of Anchor Beach Charter Community School Lena was the first off the bus as the 7th grade class followed she made sure each students was accounted for parents pulled up waiting for their children.

Adam Stevens had arrived to pick Connor up since it was his turn to pick Connor up. Connor and Jude was the last to walk off the bus Adam saw them upset that Connor was still hanging out with Jude.

"So it was fun hanging out with you Jude…" Connor told him grabbing their sleeping bag from the side of the bus.

"Yeah it was fun to hang out with you, but are you sure about this Connor?" Jude thanked him, "I mean with everything with your dad…"

"Yeah I'm positive I can't let him control my life," Connor tells Jude, "but remember we can't tell anybody about you know what we did okay…"

"Yeah I understand…"

"Okay cool…"

"Hey Connor, Jude you boys had fun on the camping trip?" Lena asked giving Jude a hug.

"Yes we did," Connor replied, "How are you doing Mrs. Foster is everything alright with you?"

Jude told Connor about Lena losing the baby and how his talk with Callie and losing the baby gave him the motivation to talk again it was a while, but he finally talked to Connor in enough time for their camping trip they had a lot to talk about and catch up on.

"I'm fine thank you for asking I need the fresh air," Lena tells the boys, "I'm just glad you boys are friends again…I know you guys had a rocky patch especially with your father, but it's good to see that you won't let your father run your friendship."

Lena gave the boys' time to talk before it was time to leave. She was happy that Jude made up with the family and Connor after his selective muteness with so much going on they all needed to stick together no matter what. Connor and Jude walked over to the beach looking at the ocean as far as the eye could see the air breeze blew in the wind smelling the ocean Connor inhaling before finally exhaling Jude laughed at Connor stating he looked like a blow fish.

"You know all this is going to change when we go to back to school…"Connor told Jude.

"I know, it's sad because I was enjoying the outdoors camping and hanging out with you," Jude told Connor.

"Yeah…but you gotta promise you won't tell anyone about what we did okay? I mean it Jude," Connor told Jude.

Jude understood what Connor told him, plus he didn't even know what to make of it he didn't understand what happened between him and Connor, but if Connor was worried it must be bad or wrong Jude was still trying to figure it out his innocence knew no bounds things that people make a big deal about wasn't a big deal to Jude. He wondered why people always make a big deal about what people do or how they act why couldn't they just be without society telling them what they had to be it was something Jude never quite understood.

Soon the peaceful feeling Connor and Jude was broken by the honk of his father meaning it was time to go. Connor sighed in annoyance because it was time for them to go back to civilization and who knows how his father would be this time. The honk got louder and Connor turns to Jude and thanks him for hanging out and keeping their secret as he runs off towards the car.

Lena calls Jude over telling him that she's ready to go home and see the family. Jude smiles running towards the minivan he sees Connor and his father pulls out of the parking lot in a fast matter as if they were running from the cops or something Jude didn't heed it no attention he thought maybe they were running behind schedule or something if only he knew what was about to happen to his best friend.

"You were hanging out with that Jude boy again weren't you?" Adam asked his son. Connor tried to look at his father he knew his father knew that he and Jude were hanging out, but he tried not to say anything he just slid in his seat, "Answer me boy and don't lie to me because it'll only gets worst!"

"Ye…yes sir I was, but his…"Connor answered his father as Adam cuts him off.

"There are no buts Connor I told you what the rules were! You aren't allowed to hang out with that boy even at school!"

"Dad he's my friend!" Connor told his father trying to stand up to father, "He never said he was gay and even if he was gay dad that doesn't mean he likes me! We're just friends!"

"We will discuss this when we home!" Adam told him. Connor could see that his dad was about to explode he knew seeing Jude would cause some trouble, but he thinks his dad is taking the whole thing a little bit too serious what was his reason for not letting Jude be his friend he's been over the house plenty of times and now it's a problem it, but why is something Connor had to find out.

Riding home Lena and Jude were discussing the camping trip and how much fun he had.

"Jude did you enjoy the field trip?" Lena asked a smiling nodding Jude, "I know it was your first field trip in a long time since your mom's death."

"Yeah I enjoy it the field trip I've never went camping before so it was pretty fun, even though I wasn't so good at fixing things up," He replied as Lena giggled.

"As long as you had fun sweetheart that's the important thing," She said rustling her hands in his hair.

Adam finally pulled up in his driveway he parked the car before turning to look at Connor who was clearly upset about their argument, "Get out of the car!"

Connor said nothing he obeyed his father and open the car door getting out of the passenger seat closing the door behind him. Connor sighed he knew what was next his father and him would have another conversation.

Adam soon followed walking up to the house he opened the door as Connor followed behind he slams the door shut locking both locks Connor puts his backpack next to the door his father directed him to the living room where he sat he father sat in the lounge chair across from the couch where Connor was sitting.

"Connor, why can't you obey me?" Adam asked his son it was rhetorical so Connor looked down instead of answering, "I told you that you were forbidden from talking or socializing with Jude and you instead ignore me and continue talking to him!"

"But dad you don't understand he's not gay!" Connor answered back, "I don't know where you got this from, but I'm telling you he's not gay!"

"He is and you should know when you were there!" Adam exclaimed to Connor who didn't understand what his dad meant, "The batting cages Connor don't pretend like you don't know what he did!"

"Dad I don't know what he did! All I know is that my father was criticizing everything I was doing in front of my best friend! Making me feel like I wasn't good at anything I did you praised Jude more than me and I'm supposed to be your son, but hey you always criticize everything I do just like my friendship with Jude all the times that Jude hung out over here and spent the night now because we went to the batting cages he's gay or you serious dad!"

"I'll watch your tone Connor I see that homo got you trying to man up I see!"

"I'm sorry dad, but you not making any since what is your problem with Jude?!"

"So you going to pretend that nothing's going on between you two at the batting cages when he patted you on the back?!"

Connor thought back after the time at the batting cages remembering that Jude was getting better while his dad was hounding him about his posture and how to swing just over all criticizing he remember getting frustrated and how after he and Jude was talking about how he was suppose to be good at hitting the ball, but he kept messing up and Jude comfort him by patting him on the back, but that was it. The thought of his dad got mad at Jude for a simple gesture of kindness that he barely gets from his own father that was the reason why all of this started it frustrated Connor to no end.

"Are you serious?!" Connor got up from the couch he couldn't believe what his father told to him, "You started all of this over a lousy pat on the back?! I can't believe you dad you're so homophobic that it makes sick! Jude and I are friends, best friends and that's all and you made it weird between us over a lousy pat on the back!"

Adam couldn't believe his son's outrage he got up from the chair within mere moments he grabs Connor by his collar jacking him up. The action was enough to quiet Connor he was scared of his father because even though he's thirteen his father beats him like another man on the street it what Adam calls tough love, but not in Connor's eyes.

Connor pushes away from Adam who loosen his grip giving Connor enough time to slip out of it, but Adam wasn't done he wanted to discipline Connor the best way he knew how Connor tries to run from Adam, but Adam was fast knocking Connor to the floor he tries to run, but Adam wouldn't let him he punches Connor in the face the boy yells to father to stop, but he wouldn't let up Connor finally covers himself up as his father continues to punches him.

Connor couldn't handle another fight with his father he braced himself for the worst his father slowly walks over to him the next thing Connor knew he woke up in a pool of sweat huffing and puffing with the television static in the background he looks around no one was there it was just a figment of his imagination Connor shook himself he picked up his phone and calls his Mom.

"Hey sweetie," His mom answered, "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah…yeah I was just wondering if you heard anything from dad?" Connor asked his mother.

"Yeah he's still at the hospital honey did you want to call him?" Connor's mom asked him.

"No I was just wondering…okay bye," Connor tells his mom hanging up the phone.

Connor tosses his phone down on the couch rubbing his hands through his hair in frustration. The dream felt so real he touches his scar on the right side of his face remembering the day when he got it after his talk with his dad he didn't know what to tell Jude after that day how could he possibly tell his friend that it was just was misunderstanding because Jude might think it's his fault.

Connor goes to the bathroom to take a shower he always felt calm when taking a shower he can wash all of his problems away for the time being it was another day gone hopefully things can get better he thought he didn't want to live like this anymore.

Unknown to Connor his mother had decided to visit Adam in the hospital. She pulled up to the hospital and entered looking for Adam's room she asked a nurse who pointed her in the direction of his room. She knocked on the door as she entered Adam was half way awake with the television of an old football game.

"Hey…come on in," Adam slurred half away conscious, "I'm glad you're here…" She pulled a chair next to the bed sitting next to him so she can see him.

"How are you doing Adam?" She asked him placing her hands on his cresting it giving him a little bit of comforting.

"Head hurts still," He told her, "How's Connor?"

"He's doing fine still upset at you of course…" She tells him.

"Yeah, but he knows what I'm doing for him is for his own good he'll just have to trust me!" Adam told her she just shook her head in disappointment, "What? What is it?"

"Adam," She sighed, "I'm just disappointed in you how could think this is okay what you're doing? You say you're doing the best for our son, by what… ending is friendship with sweet Jude?"

"That boy is gay! And I refuse for our son to be one not if I can help it!"

"That boy is Jude…and he never said he was gay!" She scolded him, "I think it's something deeper than that Adam…you know you never talk that much about your father we hardly see him and you're pretty aggressive when it comes to Connor, but why is that?"

"What are you trying to say?"

"I'm saying you need to tell me what happen between your father every time we talk about him or mention him you get mad flare and is ready to change the conversation, but not this time you need to tell me what's going on why are you so against Jude and Connor being friends?"

Adam turns away from his ex-wife he knew he walk away from the conversation he was something he's been keeping buried deep inside of himself for numerous of years, but it was time his ex-wife knew how to get him to talk so he turns back to her as they begin to talk.

Jude arrived home a few minutes late for his curfew he quickly opens the door he silently closes the door he looks around to make sure no one is around he tries to walk up the stairs, but Lena caught him.

"Hey bud you're late," Lena told Jude as he shutters from Lena he slowly turns to see Lena with her arms folded for an explanation, "So where were you?"

Jude didn't want to involve his Moms in any of his business especially when it comes to Connor after the fundraiser he don't know how much longer he can keep his secret with Connor not to mention how much more patience his Moms would be? He slowly turns to face Lena who wanted an answer.

"Um I was at the beach…yeah and I lost track of time is all…I'm sorry," Jude told Lena.

"Oh ok bud, but next time when you we give you curfew I except you to be home by that time understood?"

"Yes…"

"Okay go get washed up and get ready for dinner," Lena tells Jude as he runs upstairs getting ready for dinner.

Stef was sipping some coco from her mug when Lena came back into the kitchen. She sat at the kitchen table brushing her hand through her hair trying to figure out what's going on with Jude.

"Was that Jude?" Stef asked.

"Yeah he's been acting weird since the fundraiser I don't know what to do anymore," Lena sighed as Stef pour her a glass of water kissing her on her forehead.

"We might need to try and force the answer out of him," Stef told Lena she looked her with unaccepted look on her face, "Lena, sweetheart don't give me that look…"

"No Stef we can't if we push we just might push him into selective muteness again or worst," Lena tell Stef knowing the feeling of being pressured do things or come to their parents only pushed them away.

"But love we have to find out something?" Stef told Lena.

"No, but think about it Adam pressuring Connor was the reason why Connor pushed away and why he came to Jude we don't know what's going between them, but we also don't know what's going on in Connor's household, but Jude also been through his fair share of challenges as well they might connected over that who knows…"

"Okay love we won't push, but we have to talk about your job is there anything? Any news at all?" Stef changes to subject to focus on her wife.

"I heard back I have to talk to the board and tell them it was a mistake I've worked too hard I was still a little emotional over the loss of the baby I hope they understand that."

"Honey I'm sure they will..." Stef tells her wife placing her hands on her Lena's hands giving her support, "Next time just talk it out before jumping…"

Connor finally got out of the shower drying himself off he sighed as he walks to his room and finds some pajamas to put on before heading downstairs for some dinner. Usually his mom would've been home by now cooking something, but she must be working late, good thing Connor been learning how to cook for himself could come in handy.

He opens the refrigerator grabbing lettuce tomato and onions he places them on the kitchen table as he walks over to the pantry grabbing white bread he grabs a plate from the dishwasher that was cleaned early this morning he was opens the loaf of bread, but he remember he forgot the mayonnaise and turkey. Once finishing making his two sandwiches he goes to the living room and turn on the television to a random soccer game he usually watches because he was really excited about soccer and brushing up on his skills, but he really didn't fell like it much these days. He sat there eating his sandwiches in peace wondering if his friendship was really worth all of this.

Jude finished his dinner with the Fosters he excuses his self to his room Callie was wondered about Jude she wondered did it have something to do with her after the fundraiser and Robert watched Callie to live with them. She walks up the stairs after Jude to see him sulking on his bed.

"Hey Jude buddy is everything alright?" Callie asked slowly walking into the shared room, "I mean what's going on Jude you have to talk to me at least whatever going on with you and Connor I'm your sister Jude you should talk to me."

"It's a lot going on Callie…"

"Is it my fault?" Callie asked Jude was stunned by Callie's question, "I'm serious Jude is it my fault, I mean I told you if you didn't want me to see Sophia again I won't I'm really sorry about me not being adopted we're going to fight this we'll be together I promise!"

"No…no Callie it's not your fault," Jude told his concerned guilt sister, "Callie it's just a lot of things going on with me and Connor is all you know how we all go through something, I promise it's not about you at all I just need time."

"Are you sure Jude I promise if it's bothering you that much I can stop this right now…"

Jude places his hand on her shoulder as he shook his head no, Callie stopped calming down she realized her little brother was telling the truth, "Callie it's about you it's about me something going on with me, so please give me time…"

"Okay Jude I love you bud," Callie told her brother giving him a hug he smiles and hug her back as she leaves him smiling back at him.

Callie leaves the room walking downstairs where Stef and Lena were waiting for her. She walked in the living room sitting down on the couch next to Lena where was while Stef sat in the love seat adjacent from them.

"Did you get any information?" Stef asked.

"No nothing he said it was him and he had to deal with it," Callie told her Foster Moms.

"What does that mean?" A concerned Lena asked Callie, "If something going on with Jude we need to help him he needs us!"

"I thought so too, but I thought it was my fault actually I thought he still didn't get over the fact that I spending some time with the Quinn's, but he won't tell me why…" Callie tells them. Lena scoots over to Callie giving her a hug.

"Honey, listen to me it is not your fault at all honey-" Lena told her.

"Yeah Callie he's going through his preteen phase we have to give him space and time," Stef tells her, "We'll just do our best and wait just like when he went mute…"

"But I can't even protect him anymore and that what scares me!"

"Sweetheart no he's just growing up is all…"

"Guys, I appreciate everything you've done for me and giving Jude a home, but I'm a lost cost Robert wants me to be a part of his family and with now that Jude is official part of this family I can't keep him safe anymore…but you can I might be not be able to be part of this family, but I want you all to know that you are a part of my family forever whether adopted or not!"

Callie tears up as Stef gets up from the love seat and sit next to Callie as Lena hugs her they give her there Momma Sandwich they call it as Callie holds onto as tight as she could.

"It's going to be okay we promise Callie…" Stef said kissing her on the top of her head.